Although the mosquitoes can live in various environments after the eggs hatch, these insects prefer to lay their eggs in areas with stagnant water, such as ponds, swamps, and marshes.
Because they can transmit several deadly diseases, including dengue, malaria, Zika virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever, and chikungunya, mosquitoes are seen as a hazard despite their small size.
Keeping your family and yourself safe from mosquito bites is the best defense against these fatal illnesses. Although chemical-based insect repellents can be used for this, they are not completely safe, particularly if children and dogs are present.
An alternative that is both safe and effective and has no negative side effects is to make your own mosquito repellent at home with natural materials.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Mosquitoes in your House
1. Neem Oil – Neem oil is a powerful indoor mosquito-repellent that is an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-protozoal and anti-fungal agent. The strong aroma of Neem oil helps to keep mosquitoes away from your house for at least 8 hours.
Usage:
- Take Neem oil and coconut oil in a 1:1 ration in a bowl
- Apply it to your body and spray it around your house
2. Coffee Powder – This remedy helps to get rid of mosquitoes from the roots by killing the larva. Ground coffee or coffee powder, when added to stagnant water deprives the mosquito eggs from oxygen and force them to move up to the surface which in turn kills them even before hatching.
Usage:
- Take some ground coffee or coffee powder in a sprinkler
- Sprinkle it wherever you see stagnant water in or around your house
3. Lemon and Eucalyptus Oil – The mixture of lemon and eucalyptus oil works as an effective mosquito repellent and also helps to keep away other insects from your house. Active component cineole found in these two oils possesses potent antiseptic and insect-repellent properties that help to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Usage:
- Mix equal parts of lemon oil and eucalyptus oil in a bowl
- Apply this oil to exposed body parts
Camphor – Camphor is a type of plant by-product that has potent mosquito and insect repellent property. Camphor emits a strong aroma when it burns which repels and kills mosquitoes.
Usage:
- Close all doors and windows of your room
- Light a piece of camphor and leave it in the room for 15 minutes
4. Holy Basil – The leaves of Holy Basil emit a particular aroma that is repulsive to mosquitoes and other insects. You can plant a few basil plants in your backyard or garden and crush a few basil leaves in rub it on your skin for instant results.
Usage:
- Take a few fresh holy basil leaves
- Crush them roughly and rub the leaves all over your arms and legs
5. Tea Tree Oil – The antifungal and antibacterial properties of tea tree essential oil prevents the growth of mosquitoes and destroys larva while its strong aroma helps to keep mosquitoes away from your home.
Usage:
- Take a tablespoon of coconut oil and add a few drops of tea tree oil to it
- Massage this oil all over your body
- You can also add a few drops of tea tree oil to a vaporizer
6. Garlic – Both consumption of garlic and the smell of garlic can repel mosquitoes. When you consume garlic, the sulfur compounds present in it is emitted from your skin which keeps mosquitoes away. The pungent smell of garlic overwhelms the mosquito’s sense of smell which prevents them from locating their prey.
Usage:
- Crush a few cloves of garlic and add them to a pot of boiling water
- Pour this water in a spray bottle and spray it in and around your home
7. Mint – The natural oils present in mint leaves not only acts as a relaxant for the body but also helps to keep away mosquitoes.
Usage:
- Mix a few drops of mint oil with any carrier oil and apply it to your skin
- Plant mint shrubs all around your house
- Add mint oil to a vaporizer
8. Lavender – This is an age old insect repellent that has been used for centuries to keep away insects and mosquitoes from homes. The essential oil of lavender has insecticidal, antiseptic and calming properties that help to keep mosquitoes away and sooth mosquito bites.
Usage:
- Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a cup of water
- Pour this solution in a spray bottle and spray it in and around your room
- You can also apply lavender oil to your skin
9. Citronella Oil – Extracted from citronella grass, this essential oil is a potent mosquito repellent that works as efficiently as chemical agents. Citronella infused mosquito repellent cancels and incense is widely available in the market.
Usage:
- You can add a few drops of citronella oil in your vaporizer
- You can also burn a citronella infused candle or incense
- Plant a citronella plant on your backyard or garden
10. Rosemary – This is yet another popular kitchen herb that has the capacity to repel mosquitoes and other insects. The aroma of burn rosemary is extremely potent to keep mosquitoes at bay.
Usage:
- Take a few stalks of dry rosemary
- Light them up outside your house and let the fumes spread to the backyard and garden
11. Dry Ice – This is an easy mosquito trap that helps to kill the mosquitoes. Dry ice is basically frozen carbon dioxide, so it emits carbon dioxide when it melts. The carbon dioxide emitted from the dry ice tricks the mosquitoes into thinking that there is a prey nearby.
Usage:
- Place some dry ice in a container
- Place it under your bed or table
- Wait for some time and then check the container
- You will see the mosquitoes collect on the ice
- Close the lid of the container
- Caution – Handle dry ice with care and wear gloves at all times because it can burn if handled without gloves.
Tips to Keep Away Mosquitoes from in and around your House
- Plant mosquito repellent plants and shrubs such as marigold, citronella grass, catnip, basil, scented geranium, etc. in your garden and backyard to keep away mosquitoes.
- If you have ornamental ponds or fountains in your garden then make it a point to clean them periodically and keep the aerated to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.
- Insect-proof your house by putting up net screens on doors and windows and seal gaps in doors and windows using weather stripping.
- If you live in a mosquito infested area then make it a point to use a mosquito net to protect yourself from mosquito bites at night.
- Use yellow LED lights, bug lights or sodium lamps for lighting up doorways, windows and porches. These lights don’t attract mosquitoes.
- Clean out any stagnant water that accumulates in the yard or garden.
- Keep the grass in your garden manicured and the shrubs well trimmed because these can act as hiding grounds for mosquitoes.
When used correctly, these remedies can help you to get rid of mosquitoes in your home and garden effectively and also help you to prevent other insect infestations.
